Showing posts with label Blogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blogs. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

10 Ways to Use Your Blogs and Podcasts Together ▬ Databox

10 Ways to Use Your Blogs and Podcasts Together
With audiences preferring to consume content in different formats, it’s essential to invest in both blogs and podcasts. The best part? Making them work together. Learn how.

Podcasts
Databox: 2.09.2021 by Masooma Memon


Consider this: about 409 million people view 20 billion pages every month. And, 51% of the US population – over half of the population that is – has listened to a podcast at least once.

If you were to put these numbers under the microscope, you’d come to one conclusion: both blog and podcast are important content formats that people consume widely.

It’s as Daniel Foley puts it, “blogs are the newspaper of the internet. This is what you do when you want to read an article, find out some information or catch up on news.” “Podcasts” on the other hand “are the radio of the internet. You may have read the newspaper in the morning but you want to listen to the radio on the way to work.”

But, of course, you already know that.

It’s why you have both a blog and podcast and want to make sure you can get the best of both. Or, you have one and plan to start the other, and therefore, are looking for ways to make both work in tandem.

Either way, let’s make things easy for you by giving you the lowdown of how you can use blog and podcast together in 10 simple ways including:

➤ Create show notes

➤ Blog and podcast together for a strong SEO game

➤ Podcast and blog under a common theme

➤ Expand the information

➤ Create new pieces of content from podcast interviews

➤ Write a podcast preview on your blog

➤ Use quotes from the podcast in your blog

➤ Repurpose and put everything into a blog post

➤ Repurpose blog posts into podcast episodes and more

➤ Cross-promote your blog and podcast

READ MORE ➤➤

 
Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 10
Reading Level: standard / average.
Reader's Age: 14-15 yrs. old
(Ninth to Tenth graders)


Sunday, April 11, 2021

Literacy – Spanning the US :: Bath ME :: Cleveland :: Claremore OK

Literacy In The News :: Spanning the US

Midcoast Literacy

Midcoast Literacy Presents Free Readers Theater Online April 25
Wisscasset Newspaper: 3.25.2021

Get ready to enjoy storybooks in a whole new way!

Midcoast Literacy, a non-profit organization that provides free literacy tutoring to people of all ages, is putting on its second free, live Readers Theater production on Sunday, April 25, at 4 p.m. It will feature local, professional actors reading “Doctor DeSoto” by William Steig and “Today I Will Fly!” by Mo Willems. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the event will be held over Zoom. Viewers will need an online performance link which you can get by going to www.midcoastliteracy.org or by contacting Midcoast Literacy at admin@midcoastlit.org

“A Readers Theater performance is a great way to experience children’s books in a whole new way. It’s a read-aloud and a theatrical show all in one,” said Don Lader, Midcoast Literacy’s executive director. “After our debut online event in December, we heard so much positive feedback from families we decided to do another production this spring.”

🔽
“We’re making Readers Theater a tradition at Midcoast Literacy,” said Lader, “and are optimistically looking forward to hosting a live performance in a local theater in the not-too distant future.”  READ MORE ➤➤

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 8
Reading Level: fairly difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 12-14 yrs. old
(Seventh and Eighth graders)

 

@seedsofliteracy

✽ Illiteracy Creates Hurdle For Clevelanders Looking For COVID Vaccine Information
Seeds of Literacy Blog: 3.24.2021 by Steven Hernandez

Maria Rodriguez did not learn how to read full documents until she was in her 50s.

Now, she’s helping others with similar struggles at Seeds of Literacy in Cleveland’s West Side, while encouraging them to find the right information about the coronavirus vaccine.

“I feel what they feel, and I feel the scare, the worry, the tension,” Rodriguez said.

While many Clevelanders want to get their dose of the vaccine, adult illiteracy means they are easily swayed in the wrong direction by rumors and false information. According to research from Case Western Reserve University, 66 percent of Clevelanders are functionally illiterate.

Rodriguez, who has interacted with residents with similar struggles, has heard of these faulty reasonings first-hand.

“‘I’m allergic to this kind of food,’ or ‘I’m not going to take the Covid [vaccine] because someone told me if I take the [vaccine] with my issue I might die,’” she has heard.

Adult illiteracy is also a significant hurdle to overcome for minority communities. The same Case Western study notes that some neighborhoods have an illiteracy rate of 95 percent, predominantly in areas with high numbers of minorities.  WATCH  01:55

 
Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 12
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 17-18 yrs. old
(Twelfth graders) 


@seedsofliteracy

✽ 
 Seeds of Literacy Helping Ohioans Receive Accurate Information About COVID, Vaccines
Seeds of Literacy Blog: 3.25.2021 by Kevin Freeman

Many Ohioans complain about the troubles they encounter, trying to make a reservation for a COVID-19 vaccine. But for people who struggle to read and write, getting accurate information about the coronavirus and vaccines, in general, can often be a daunting task.

“When you’re a student who struggles with literacy, then being able to make sense out of all the information that’s out there, that can be very challenging,” said Carmine Stewart, vice president of programming for the Seeds of Literacy.

Sorting through information and misinformation, related to coronavirus and how to get the COVID-19 vaccine can be mind-boggling for just about anyone. But for someone who is functionally illiterate, it can be overwhelming.

“They struggle with basic tasks, like reading, writing, taking information, numerical or printed and then being able to understand what they’re reading and then being able to apply that,” said Stewart.

Stewart says 66 percent of Cleveland residents are considered functionally illiterate. 88 percent of people in the program lack the most basic computer skills, which puts them at a major disadvantage when trying to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination.  WATCH  02:02

 
Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 14
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 21-22 yrs. old
(college level)

 

RCLC Offers Citizenship Classes
Claremore Progress: 3.22 2021

Rogers County Literacy Council (RCLC) will be offering Zoom Citizenship Classes beginning March 29-June 10 2021. Interested Learners can contact Malinda Brown, 918-923-1338, by calling or texting, or contact Edel Godwin, RCLC Director at 918-277-4331. Classes will be designed on days and at times most convenient for the greatest number of Learners. Youtube videos will also be provided for information review.

The RCLC has been awarded a grant from the Library Services Technology Act (LSTA), which is administered by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and Oklahoma Museum and Library Services. “The demand for Citizenship Classes has increased and the RCLC is proud to have once again been awarded the LSTA grant to serve this community need,” says Edel Godwin, Executive Director of the RCLC.

These small-group classes are designed to help strengthen the learner’s language and literacy skills as he or she prepares for the United States citizenship examination.

“Learners must learn the rights and duties of citizens as well as utilizing the basic English skills needed to understand the questions on the naturalization exam,” Godwin explains.  READ MORE ➤➤

 
Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 13
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old
(college level entry)


Sunday, December 27, 2020

Literacy – Spanning North America :: Long Beach CA :: Fishersville VA :: Cleveland OH :: Fort St. John BC

Literacy In The News :: Spanning North America

@LBCityLibrary

New LB Reads' Article Club

The new LB Reads' Article Club invites adult learners to join our virtual meeting where we'll learn about national and international events with easy-to-read news stories and fun activities.

Our club meets the first Saturday of the month @ 10AM.

El Club de Noticias de LB Reads los invita a aprender inglés leyendo sencillos reportajes sobre acontecimientos nacionales e internacionales, además de divertidas actividades.

El club se reúne cada primer sábado del mes a las 3 pm.  READ MORE ➤➤

Readability Consensus
Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 11
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old
(Tenth to Eleventh graders)


LEARNVA

Literacy Group Moving To Online & Willing To Train New Tutors For The Staunton, County & Waynesboro Areas
Staunton News Leader: 12.02.2020 by Laura Peters

Judith Shuey is concerned for those who have a hard time reading and have lost their jobs. She says it's going to be harder for them to get back out there and find a job when they are struggling with literacy. 

"Many people have lost jobs during this pandemic and when those jobs open up again or there are new jobs, they require a higher literacy," Shuey said. "If our people aren't served in this time, they will be left behind."

That's where Learn English and Reading Now, or LEARN, comes in. Shuey is the executive director for the program.

LEARN is an adult literacy, volunteer organization that provides free tutoring in reading and English in the Staunton, Augusta County and Waynesboro areas. The group's mission is to increase opportunities for adults in our community through literacy.

In 2019, they served 55 people in the area.

It was established in 1981 as an affiliate of Literacy Volunteers of America.  READ MORE ➤➤

Readability Consensus
Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 8
Reading Level: standard / average.
Reader's Age: 12-14 yrs. old
(Seventh and Eighth graders)


@seedsofliteracy

Maryland Couple Finds Hope Across State Lines at Seeds
* Seeds of Literacy Blog: 12.02.2020

Launched in September, Seeds of Literacy’s Virtual Classroom has become a lifeline to learning for students across the country.

Anaya and Isaac, who live in Maryland, are grateful for discovering the warm, welcoming way Seeds helps pupils thrive.

Anaya met her future husband, Isaac, in 2010, when Anaya (who has a master’s degree in public health from Boston University) moved to Tanzania to spearhead global health initiatives. The couple married in 2015 and settled in Maryland.

Isaac, who is fluent in Swahili and Maasai, wanted to sharpen his English skills and began taking adult-education classes at the Washington Literacy Center. When the center was forced to close as a result of COVID-19, the couple began searching for a safe alternative that would allow Isaac to continue his studies.

“We looked for education programs online that were virtual,” Anaya says. “Our Google search included virtual adult education and adult literacy, and Seeds came up.”

“We are so impressed with the way Seeds is creating a program tailor made for Isaac’s needs and that they do the same for everyone.”

One link takes students and tutors to the Virtual Classroom, with no complicated schedules to remember. The Virtual Classroom is open during the same hours as Seeds’ on-site locations (Monday through Thursday: Morning 9-11am, Afternoon 1-3pm, and Evening 6-8pm), and the staff continues to be able to pair tutors and students, just as they would in the classroom.  READ MORE ➤➤

Readability Consensus
Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 11
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old
(Tenth to Eleventh graders)

* Newsletters ◻ Blogs ◻ Stories

 

@FSJLitSoc

Rotary Drive Thru Breakfast raises $6,000 for Fort St. John Literacy Society
Alaska Highway News: 12.04.2020

Fort St. John Rotarians visited the Fort St. John Literacy Society on Dec. 3 to present a $6,000 donation, raised with the community’s support at this year's Rotary Drive Thru Breakfast.

These funds will put more than 1,700 books into the hands of children in our community through the Literacy Society and its partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. There are 823 local children registered in this FREE program, which delivers one book a month to children aged 0-5, helping to build their literacy and social-emotional skills.

“Literacy is so important to our children and future generations. Having a child not only be excited about receiving a gift in the mail, but having something for a parent or sibling to read to them and having the opportunity to read back is incredible,” said Rotarian Vince van Wieringen. “This program does such a great thing for children all over the world, and we are happy to be able to help.”

“By increasing literacy at all levels, the community benefits in many ways including broader social inclusion and full participation in society such as social, civic, and political engagement,” said Jessica Kalman, Executive Director, Fort St. John Literacy Society. “The Imagination Library helps to prepare children for school, and builds early years literacy that is not only affordable for families, but delivered at home, where many often learn better. It builds family connection and social communication skills by encouraging caregivers to read and participate in the stories."  READ MORE ➤➤

 

Readability Consensus
Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 11
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 15-17 yrs. old
(Tenth to Eleventh graders)


Sunday, December 6, 2020

Literacy – Spanning the US :: Chicago IL :: Calexio CA : Greenfield MA :: Wilmington NC

Literacy In The News :: Spanning the US

@ChiCityLiteracy

Connecting Adult Learners with Resources for Education & Employment
McCormick Foundation: 11.09.2020

The Chicago Citywide Literacy Coalition was formed in 2003 to advocate for the improvement of adult literacy programs. Today, the organization works closely with workforce development organizations and gathers resources for adult education organizations to increase their capacity. The CCLC strives to help underserved adult learners improve their quality of life and become economically successful through educational programs involving technology and health literacy, the Career Pathways program, and continued literacy advocacy.

=When the CCLC recognized the declining number of adult education programs on the South Side of Chicago, which approximately 250,000 adults could benefit from, the organization took action to launch the South Side Career Pathways Collaborative in 2019 and created an organized career pathway system for the community.  READ MORE ➤➤

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 20
Reading Level: very difficult to read.
Reader's Age: College graduate

 

Camarena Library

Reflections on COVID-19
Adult Literacy on the Border: 8.04.2020 Clara Auyon

Today's post comes from Clara Auyon who has been in the ALS program for a couple of years now. With the guidance of literacy staff, she decided to participate in the California COVID Diaries project from the California State Library and California Library Literacy Services, and these are her reflections on the impact that COVID-19 has had on her life.

How has your life changed?

My life changed because I had to reorganize my day to day trying to fulfill my personal and professional activities without leaving home. Being in contact with my family, friends, neighbors, virtually, no longer hugging, kissing, meeting or sharing important dates with them in person. We had to implement all the hygiene protocols inside and outside the house, with food and not food as indicated by health authorities. Being at home all day we had to create new activities to fill our free time.

How have you changed?

It made me even more sensitive to the reality experienced by the most vulnerable people, valuing and enjoying what I have, my husband, my kids, my friends, my work, recognizing and investing every minute in what is really worthy, thanking God for being alive, for giving me faith and hope in these difficult times, for having a roof, food. Continuing working to be a better person, more committed to help others.

Important highlights: any silver linings?

We spend more time with my children, family thru WhatsApp, Zoom, etc. I am very happy to share more time with my husband. Before I only saw him Monday to Friday from 10 pm to 8 am. We have time to sharing activities that we like, cooking, watching movies, talking about politics, technology, etc.  READ MORE ➤➤

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 15
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: College graduate

 

Literacy Project

The Literacy Project To Continue Remote Learning Through Spring
Recorder: 11.15.2020 by Anita Fritz

The Literacy Project’s executive director says “surprising” and “wonderful” aren’t words most people associate with a pandemic, but for its adult students, forced remote learning has provided new opportunities for success.

“We knew from the start that our success depended on getting computers to our students and getting them connected online,” Executive Director Judith Roberts said. “Our donors stepped up to help us do just that.”

An adult literacy and high school equivalency program in Greenfield, Orange, Amherst, Northampton and Ware, The Literacy Project moved quickly in the spring to offer its classes online. Students now have the opportunity to study at home any time of the day. The program recently announced it will continue to teach classes remotely for the rest of the school year.

Since mid-March, when the pandemic hit the area, The Literacy Project has provided 66 laptops to students, allowing them to study from home or wherever they’d like. The agency also supplied dozens of calculators, workbooks, notebooks and novels for classes to read together.

The program’s students attend classes through Zoom video conferences and do math problems at home using Google Classroom. Roberts said teachers work from home, providing educational opportunities and points of connection with students.  READ MORE ➤➤

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 13
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old
(college level entry)

 

@cfliteracy

Bridging The Digital Divide
Wilmington Biz: 11.16.2020 by Erin Payne, Dir FD- Cape Fear Literacy Council

We exist in a digitized world, and the COVID-19 pandemic has placed particular emphasis on the level of digital literacy and access to digital resources required to execute the essential aspects of our daily existence. For many low-income families, seniors, and immigrants, this new reality is challenging to negotiate.

Well before the pandemic emerged, Cape Fear Literacy Council (CFLC) and many of its community partners recognized these critical disparities in digital access and education across the Cape Fear region. CFLC has a 35-year history of providing effective, personalized education to adults through one-on-one tutoring and small classes.

Like so many other organizations and businesses, the pandemic has forced us to rethink our priorities and reimagine the way we provide services. Our goal is to continue to provide our students with high-quality educational experiences in Adult Literacy, English as a Second Language, Citizenship, GED Preparation, and of course, Digital Literacy. Our hope is that we can use this opportunity to help bridge the gap so many of our students are experiencing as they try to connect to an increasingly online world.

Recently, CFLC has been operating on a hybrid model. Our facility is open on an appointment-only basis for tutor pairs who lack computer access or the digital skills to work remotely. However, for safety reasons, all multi-person classes are being offered online, and many one-on-one pairs are also meeting remotely. As we look to the near future, and see our COVID numbers rising, we are taking this opportunity to provide computer orientations to our students, so they can establish email addresses and connect to classes online.

We are also providing training to tutors, so they can use Zoom or other video platforms to continue to teach. Recently, the Literacy Council was fortunate to receive a grant award from The Landfall Foundation for remote-learning equipment, technology, and data packages – thus allowing us to provide access for learners in digitally-vulnerable areas.  READ MORE ➤➤

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 15
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: College graduate

 

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Literacy – Spanning the US :: Bath ME :: Carlsbad NM :: Concord CA

Literacy In The News :: Spanning the US

Midcoast Literacy

Midcoast Literacy Needs More Volunteer Tutors
Wiscasset Newspaper: 10.02.2020 by Dan Burson, Midcoast Literacy

Midcoast Literacy, a non-profit that provides free literacy tutoring to people of all ages, is looking for volunteer tutors to work with school-age children, especially in the Brunswick/Bath area. Tutors are needed for children ages 6-14 who are struggling to read at grade level and for children from asylum seeking families who are learning to speak, read, and write in English.

“The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting changes to school schedules and family responsibilities have only made the need for tutors more acute,” says Katie Clark, Midcoast Literacy’s Read Together Program Director. “More children are falling behind on reading, while some tutors no longer feel safe working with kids for health reasons. We have children waiting to be matched with tutors!”

Since March, sessions have been taking place remotely via Zoom and other platforms, and in-person via sessions held outside. As the weather changes, some tutoring pairs are moving their sessions to inside locations that allow for appropriate distancing and protection measures. Individuals meeting in-person can be provided with face shields and/or masks and are asked to maintain adequate physical distance as they work.  READ MORE ➤➤

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 13
Reading Level: difficult to read.
Reader's Age: 18-19 yrs. old
(college level entry)

 

Carlsbad Literacy

Carlsbad Literacy Program Begins In-Person Instruction After Months Of Closure
Carlsbad Current-Argus: 10.02.2020 by Miranda Cyr

Amee Fletcher, 27, has spent years working toward her No. 1 goal: passing the High School Equivalency Test.

Diagnosed with severe ADHD— or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder — she struggled in school, and needed instruction that worked with her pace. Then, she found the Carlsbad Literacy Program.

Fletcher was born in Arizona, where she spent her first couple years of grade school, but then switched to homeschooling after a series of moves. She has been in the Carlsbad area for 11 years.

Fletcher tried taking classes at the New Mexico State University Carlsbad for three and a half years, each semester getting discouraged by the fast pace of the classes and eventually dropping out.

"They were trying to teach me at high school level when I'm down here, at third and fourth grade … It doesn't mix," Fletcher said. "(At the college) they finally told me about this place, and I literally, immediately that day, I went and tried to come here, but they were already closed. So the next day they opened I was here signing up." READ MORE ➤➤

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 9
Reading Level: standard / average.
Reader's Age: 13-15 yrs. old
(Eighth and Ninth graders)

 

Project 

Second Chance

She’s Right, Voting Matters!
Contra Costa County Library Blog: 10.05.2020 by CCCL KateM

Ryae was enrolled in Project Second Chance, the Library’s adult literacy program, when she wrote this essay for our book of student writing, In Our Words. Want to be an informed voter? Come to live virtual forums on candidates and ballot measures with Library partner League of Women Voters or watch the recordings on CCCL YouTube

Every Vote Counts

By Ryae L.

I think voting is one of the best systems in democratic countries. Voting will decide who will have power to govern and the best way to guide for the country and each state and district. Before you vote, you should consider carefully and choose the right people and issues. They should have a clear vision for the country and be able to work together on many issues with different parties. Sometimes very important issues could fail by a small amount of voting counts. 

In my home country of South Korea, first election started 1963 after 1961 May coup, even though we have a thousand years of history. On other hand, the USA voting system started in 1789, only 230 years ago, by choosing George Washington as first president. I’m very lucky to live in the USA and have a right to vote. 

We can’t waste our vote. We must respect our voting system and show our ideas and opinions to the system by voting. If you don’t vote, you don’t have a right to complain about our government and issues. You can make difference by voting for the right people and issues. Every vote is very important and effects government and society. =You can make the best government by voting.

Vote! Vote! Vote!  READ MORE ➤➤

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 7
Reading Level: fairly easy to read.
Reader's Age: 11-13 yrs. old
(Sixth and Seventh graders)


Monday, October 12, 2020

Grad Shares Story of Illiteracy’s Impact On Health

#HealthLiteracyMonth
 Seeds Of Literacy Blog: 10.26.2018

Maria Rodriguez, a 2012 graduate of Seeds of Literacy, appeared on TV 20’s Healthy Cleveland with Leah Haslage. Executive Director Bonnie Entler appeared with her.

Before Maria had her daughter, she went to her doctor for a regular physical. The doctor told her she was pregnant, but she admits she did not know what that meant. Months later, she returned to the doctor, concerned about her weight gain. “The doctor told me I had a baby in me,” she confessed.

“I was afraid to ask questions, and ashamed to admit I didn’t know or understand what they were telling me,” she said. And even though she felt this way every time she saw a medical professional, it wasn’t enough to propel her to make a change.

It was her grandson that told her firmly, “go back to school, grandma.” She figured she was too old, but when she went to the bank, she saw a flyer for Seeds of Literacy. “I didn’t even know what LITERACY meant,” she admits. But since Seeds was in the same building, she decided to check it out.

When she enrolled, she was at a 4th grade reading level. But all that has since changed.  WATCH 16:37

 Newsletters ◻ Blogs ◻ Stories

Based on 7 readability formulas:
Grade Level: 6
Reading Level: fairly easy to read.
Reader's Age: 10-11 yrs. olds
(Fifth and Sixth graders)